Novel transcript, antisense to Semaphorin 6C (ENSG00000298178)

This molecule is a natural antisense transcript (NAT) overlapping the SEMA6C gene on the opposite DNA strand. NATs are endogenous noncoding RNAs that can regulate expression of their overlapping sense genes via several mechanisms such as transcriptional interference (collisions between RNA polymerases), RNA masking (affecting splicing or stability), double-stranded RNA formation (leading to RNA interference), and chromatin remodeling[2][6]. Antisense transcripts may modulate the levels of functional protein from the sense gene, dampen stochastic expression fluctuations, and impact cell phenotype indirectly. The specific functions, biological significance, and therapeutic relevance of this particular antisense transcript to SEMA6C (ENSG00000298178) have not been characterized as of the latest available data. This transcript should not be confused with the protein-coding SEMA6C gene itself, which encodes Semaphorin 6C—a transmembrane glycoprotein involved in neural development and tumor suppression[1][3][5]. The antisense transcript likely acts to regulate, repress, or tune the expression of the SEMA6C gene via one or more conserved antisense mechanisms[2][6].

Regulation of adjacent gene expression (e.g., SEMA6C) through antisense transcriptional interference and chromatin modifications[2][6].